What's the best filament for beginners?

PLA. It prints at low temperatures, doesn't need an enclosure, barely warps and comes in every colour. Start with it and only switch when a part needs something PLA can't do, like handling heat or bending.

What's the difference between PLA and PETG?

PLA is easier to print and better for detailed models. PETG is tougher, bends a little before it breaks, and handles heat, sun and water better, so it's the pick for functional and outdoor parts. PETG strings more and needs a hotter nozzle and bed.

Do I need an enclosure?

Not for PLA, PETG or TPU. ABS, ASA, nylon and polycarbonate need one to stop warping and cracking, and ABS and ASA give off fumes, so use them in a ventilated room.

Is 3D printed plastic food safe?

Treat it as not food safe. Even when the filament is, the tiny gaps between layers can trap bacteria. For cookie cutters and cake toppers, keep contact short and wash them well, or use a food-safe coating.

Why do I need to dry filament?

Most filaments soak up moisture from the air. Wet filament pops and hisses, strings and prints weak, rough parts. Nylon, TPU, PVA and PETG are the worst for it. Dry it in a filament dryer and store it sealed with desiccant.

Cheat sheet

3D printer filament cheat sheet

Not sure which filament to buy? Here's what each common type is good for, what to avoid it for, how hard it is to print, and the settings to start with. If you're new, start with PLA. It does most things well.

Quick pick

You're printing…	Use
My first print, figures, toys, gifts	PLA
Something that gets dropped or clipped on	PLA+ / tough PLA
Outdoors, in water, or in a hot car	PETG (or ASA in full sun)
Bendy or rubbery	TPU
Near heat, like an engine bay	ABS or ASA (with an enclosure)
Gears and hinges that wear	Nylon
A shiny vase or ornament	Silk PLA
Hide the layer lines on a model	Matte PLA

Filament by filament

PLA

The everyday filament. Start here.

Easiest

Good for

Figures, toys and display models
Cake toppers, signs, gifts
Prototypes and test prints
Multi-colour prints

Avoid for

Anything left in a hot car or the sun
Parts that bend or take a load
Outdoor use

Nozzle: 190–220 °C
Bed: 50–60 °C
Enclosure: No

Tip: Softens around 55–60 °C, so a dashboard on a summer day can warp it.

Silk and matte PLA

PLA with a look: shiny or chalky-smooth.

Easiest

Good for

Vases, ornaments and decor (silk)
Figures and models that hide layer lines (matte)

Avoid for

Strong or functional parts: both are a bit weaker than plain PLA

Nozzle: 200–230 °C
Bed: 50–60 °C
Enclosure: No

Tip: Silk looks best printed a little slower and hotter.

PLA+ / tough PLA

PLA that's less brittle.

Easiest

Good for

Brackets, clips and holders
Toys that get dropped
Everyday parts around the house

Avoid for

Heat, like plain PLA

Nozzle: 205–230 °C
Bed: 55–65 °C
Enclosure: No

Tip: A good default if you want PLA's ease with a bit more strength.

PETG

Tougher than PLA, handles heat and water.

Easy

Good for

Functional parts and mounts
Outdoor items and planters
Model boats and things that get wet
Car interior parts

Avoid for

Fine detail figures (it strings more)
Very fast printing

Nozzle: 230–250 °C
Bed: 70–85 °C
Enclosure: No

Tip: Sticks very hard to smooth PEI: use a textured plate or a glue stick so it doesn't pull chunks off.

TPU (flexible)

Rubbery and bendy.

Medium

Good for

Phone cases and bumpers
Gaskets, seals and feet
Watch bands, grips and squishy toys

Avoid for

Stiff parts
Rushing: it needs slow speeds

Nozzle: 210–235 °C
Bed: 40–60 °C
Enclosure: No

Tip: Print slowly and turn retraction down. Harder TPU (95A) is much easier than very soft grades.

ABS

Heat-resistant and strong, but fussy.

Medium

Good for

Car parts and things near heat
Parts you'll sand, glue or smooth with acetone

Avoid for

Printers without an enclosure
Small rooms without airflow

Nozzle: 240–260 °C
Bed: 90–110 °C
Enclosure: Yes

Tip: Warps and cracks in a draft, and gives off fumes: enclose the printer and vent the room.

ASA

ABS that stands up to the sun.

Medium

Good for

Outdoor parts that stay outside
Car exterior parts, garden and boat fittings

Avoid for

Printers without an enclosure

Nozzle: 240–260 °C
Bed: 90–110 °C
Enclosure: Yes

Tip: Same handling as ABS, but it doesn't fade or go brittle in sunlight.

Nylon (PA)

Very tough and slippery.

Hard

Good for

Gears, hinges and wear parts
Tools and parts that take a beating

Avoid for

Beginners
Damp storage: it soaks up moisture fast

Nozzle: 250–280 °C
Bed: 70–90 °C
Enclosure: Yes

Tip: Always dry it before printing and keep it in a sealed box with desiccant.

Polycarbonate (PC)

The toughest and most heat-resistant common filament.

Hard

Good for

High-heat and high-strength parts
Clear, impact-resistant pieces

Avoid for

Beginners
Printers that can't reach high temperatures

Nozzle: 260–300 °C
Bed: 100–120 °C
Enclosure: Yes

Tip: Needs a hot printer and an enclosure, and dry filament.

Carbon fibre blends (PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PA-CF)

Stiffer, matte versions of the base plastic.

Medium

Good for

Stiff, light parts like drone frames and brackets
A clean matte finish

Avoid for

Brass nozzles: the fibres wear them out fast

Nozzle: Same as the base plastic
Bed: Same as the base plastic
Enclosure: Same as the base plastic

Tip: Use a hardened steel nozzle.

PVA (support)

Support that dissolves in water.

Medium

Good for

Supports for complex prints on multi-colour printers
Clean undersides with no support marks

Avoid for

The model itself
Humid rooms: it goes soft and stringy when damp

Nozzle: 190–220 °C
Bed: 50–60 °C
Enclosure: No

Tip: Pair it with PLA. Soak the finished print in warm water to wash the supports away.

Temperatures are typical starting points. Every brand is a little different, so start with the range printed on your spool and your slicer's profile for that filament.

Three rules that fix most filament problems

Keep it dry. Store spools sealed with desiccant. Popping, stringing and weak prints usually mean damp filament.
Use the right profile. Pick the matching filament in your slicer (brand, or "Generic PETG" etc.) before you change anything else.
Keep the plate clean. Wash it with dish soap and water now and then. Fingerprints are the top reason prints won't stick.

Filament questions

What's the best filament for beginners?: PLA. It prints at low temperatures, doesn't need an enclosure, barely warps and comes in every colour. Start with it and only switch when a part needs something PLA can't do, like handling heat or bending.
What's the difference between PLA and PETG?: PLA is easier to print and better for detailed models. PETG is tougher, bends a little before it breaks, and handles heat, sun and water better, so it's the pick for functional and outdoor parts. PETG strings more and needs a hotter nozzle and bed.
Do I need an enclosure?: Not for PLA, PETG or TPU. ABS, ASA, nylon and polycarbonate need one to stop warping and cracking, and ABS and ASA give off fumes, so use them in a ventilated room.
Is 3D printed plastic food safe?: Treat it as not food safe. Even when the filament is, the tiny gaps between layers can trap bacteria. For cookie cutters and cake toppers, keep contact short and wash them well, or use a food-safe coating.
Why do I need to dry filament?: Most filaments soak up moisture from the air. Wet filament pops and hisses, strings and prints weak, rough parts. Nylon, TPU, PVA and PETG are the worst for it. Dry it in a filament dryer and store it sealed with desiccant.

Ready to print something?

Every model on STLShelf lists its size and the creator's own print settings, including the filament they used. New to 3D printing? Our free beginner guide takes you from choosing a printer to your first print.

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